Chapter - 2
Special Curves
Special Curves
The following are some of special curves related to engineering application
1. Cycloid
2. Epicycloid
3. Hypocycloid and
4. Involute
Cycloidal Curves
A Cycloid is the curve generated by the motion of a point on the circumference
of a circle rolled in a plane along a straight line without slipping. The rolling circle
is called as Generating circle and straight line is called as Base Line or Directory.
Application of Cycloid
I. Cycloid curves are used in the design of gear tooth profile
II. It is also used in the design of conveyor for mould boxes in foundry shop
Example - 1
A circle of 50 mm diameter rolls on a straight line without slipping.
Trace the locus of a point ‘P’ on the circumference of the circle rolling for
one revolution. Name the curve. Draw normal and tangent to the curve at
any point on the curve.
Solution
We know that for one revolution of the circle along the straight line, it covers
a length equal to the circumference (L) of the generating circle.
L = xD
where
D - diameter of the generating circle = 3.14 x 50 mm= 157 mm
2.2 Engineering Graphics
To draw the cycloid
1. Draw the generating circle of diameter 50 mm and the straight line PQ of
length 157 mm.
2. Divide the circle and the line PQ into equal parts, say 8.
3. Project 1, 2, 3, etc., to mark the centres in 8 positions O1, O2, O3 etc.
4. Draw horizontal lines through 1 , 2 , etc.
I I
5. Mark the position of the point P in various positions of the centres O1, O2 , etc.
Take the distance OP as radius (= 25 mm) O1, as centre, cut an arc on the line
passing through point 1I to get P1
6. With centre O2 and same radius, cut an arc on the line passing through point
2 to get P2 .
I
7. Similarly get P3 P4 , etc., with the centres O3 , O4 , etc.. and same radius.
8. Join PI , P2 , P3 , etc., by drawing a smooth curve to complete the curve cycloid
.
F
H Cycloid
R25 4
I
P4
M
5
I
3
I P3 P5
R
25
G
I O P 2 O1 I O2 O3 O4 O5 O6 O7 P6 O8
6 2
P7
P1
I
7 1
I
P8
8
I
1 2 3 E 4 5 6 7 8
x D = 157
Fig 2.1
To draw tangent and normal to the cycloid
1. Mark a point M on the curve at any point above the straight line PQ.
2. With the centre M, radius (OP = 25 mm), mark a point N on the centre line.
3. Draw a vertical line from N to get point E on the straight line PQ.
4. Draw a line EF passing through point M which is the normal to the curve.
5. Draw a line GH passing through point M and perpendicular to normal EF
which is the tangent to the curve.
Special Curves 2.3
Example - 2
A coin of 40mm diameter rolls over a horizontal table without
slipping. A point on the circumference of the coin is in contact with the
table surface in the beginning and after one and half revolution. Draw
the cycloidal path traced by the point. Draw the tangent and normal on
its 35 mm from a straight line
Solution
We know that for one revolution of the circle along the straight line, it covers
a length equal to the circumference (L) of the generating circle.
L = x D
where
D - diameter of the generating circle = 3.14 x 40mm = 125.6
F H Cycloid
40
I
4 P4
I
P3 M P12
5 3
I
P5 P11
G
R
20
O P2 O2 O3 N O4 O5 O6 O7 P6 O8 P10 O9 O10 O11 O12
O1 2
I I
6
P7
I P1 P8 P9
7
I
1
8
I
1 2 3E 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
x D = 188
Fig. 2.2
To draw the cycloid
1. Draw the generating circle of diameter 40 mm and the straight line PQ of
length 125.6 mm.
2. Divide the circle and the line PQ into equal parts, say 8.
3. Project 1, 2, 3, etc., to mark the centres in 12 positions O1, O2, O3 etc.
4. Draw horizontal lines through 1 , 2 , etc.
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5. Mark the position of the point P in various positions of the centres O1, O2, etc.
Take the distance OP as radius (= 20 mm) O1, as centre, cut an arc on the line
passing through point 1 to get PI
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6. With centre O2 and same radius, cut an arc on the line passing through point
2 to get P2 .
I
7. Similarly get P3, P4, etc., with the centres O3, O4, etc.. and same radius.
8. Join PI , P2 , P3 , etc., by drawing a smooth curve to complete the curve cycloid.
2.4 Engineering Graphics
To draw tangent and normal to the cycloid
1. Mark a point M on the curve at any point above the straight line PQ.
2. With the centre M, radius OP (= 20 mm), mark a point N on the centre line.
3. Draw a vertical line from N to get point E on the straight line PQ.
4. Draw a line EF passing through point M which is the normal to the curve.
5. Draw a line GH passing through point M and perpendicular to normal EF
which is the tangent to the curve.
Example - 3
Draw an epicycloid of a circle 50 mm diameter which rolls outside of another
circle of 150 mm diameter for one revolution. Draw tangent and normal for
any point on the curve.
Solution
r = rolling circle radius = 25 mm
R = Base circle (directing circle) radius = 75 mm
Arc 2R subtends an angle 360º at O
Arc 2r subtends an angle = (360/2R) x 2r
= r / R x 360 = 50 / 150 x 360 = 120º
Normal
Locus of centres X
P4
A
Base circle
P3 P5
C3 C4 Tangent
C5
P2 C2 P6
3 2 C6
C1 G
4 3
I
4
I
I
I
2 5 C7
1 1
I 6
I
Y
P1 I P7
5 7 P C8
P
8 8
I
6
7 7 =7
5
50 R
Rolling circle cle
cir
r = 25 mm se
Ba
of
d ius
O Ra
Fig. 2.3
Special Curves 2.5
1. Draw a sector OPQ which subtended an angle = 120º.
2. Produce the line OP and mark C such a way that CP = r = 25 mm
3. Keeping C as centre, as radius, draw a circle (rolling circle).
4. Divide the rolling circle and or OPQ in to 8 equal parts and mark 1, 2 ..... 8 in
anticlockwise direction on rolling circle and mark 1 , 2 , 3 ... 8 clockwise sense
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on the base circle (sector) as shown in fig.
5. Keeping ‘O’ as centre, draw concentric arcs passing through 1, 2 ..... 8. Also
draw an arc passing through centre ‘C’. This arc is called “locus of centers
arc”.
6. Produce the lines O1 ,O2 O3 .... O8 to cut the locus of centers arc at cl c2 .....c8
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respectively.
7. Take c1 as centre, radius as 25 mm, draw an arc to cut the arc passing through
point 1 and get P1
I
8. Similarly, take c2 as centre, (the same radius 25 mm) draw an arc to cut the
arc passing through point 2 and get P2.
9. Similarly, locate remaining points P3, P4 ..... P8.
lO. Draw a smooth curve passing through all the points P, P1, P2, P3, P4 ..... Q and
the curve obtained is the epicycloidal curve.
To draw tangent and normal
11. Mark the point A on the curve.
12. Keeping A as centre, and radius as 25 mm, draw an arc to cut the ‘locus are
centres arc’ at D.
13. Join D with O. This line cut the PQ at G.
14. Join AG. This AG is the normal. Draw a line perpendicular to AG passing
through A. This line xy is the tangent.
Example - 4
Draw an epicycloids with the radius of the generating / rolling circle
and radius of the directing circle equal to 30mm and 100mm respectively.
Draw normal and tangent to the curve at any point on the epicycloids
curve.
2.6 Engineering Graphics
Solution
r = rolling circle radius = 15 mm
R = Base circle (directing circle) radius = 50 mm
Arc 2R subtends an angle 360º at 0
Arc 2r subtends an angle = (360/2R) x 2r
= r / R x 360 = 30 / 100 x 360 = 108º
1. Draw a sector OPQ which subtended an angle = 108º.
2. Produce the line OP and mark C such a way that CP = r = 15 mm
3. Keeping C as centre, as radius, draw a circle (rolling circle).
4. Divide the rolling circle and or OPQ in to 12 equal parts and mark
1, 2 ..... 12 in anticlockwise direction on rolling circle and mark 1 ,2 , 3 ... 12
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clockwise sense on the base circle (sector) as shown in fig.
5. Keeping ‘O’ as centre, draw concentric arcs passing through 1, 2..... l2. Also draw an
arc passing through centre ‘C’. This arc is called “locus of centers arc”.
P6 Ta
Locus of centres
x
ng
P5 en
P7 t A
P4 P8
al
c6
m
c5 c7
or
c4 c8
N
c3
4 c9
5
y
3 c2 P9
P3 c10
6 2 I
5 6
I I
7
4
I
B
c1 I 8
I
c11
3
7 1 I 9
I
P10
P2 2
c I 10
I
c12
1
8 11
I
P1 12 P11
12
I
P
9
10 11
=R
Rolling circle ir cle
s ec
30 mm Ba
Base circle s of
diu
100 mm Ra
O
Fig. 2.4
6. Produce the lines O1 , O2 , O3 .... O12 to cut the locus of centers arc at cl c2.....
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cl2 respectively
Special Curves 2.7
7. Take c1 as centre, radius as 15 mm, draw an arc to cut the arc passing through
point 1 and get P1.
8. Similarly, take c2 as centre, (the same radius 15 mm) draw an arc to cut the
arc passing through point 2 and get P2.
9. Similarly, locate remaining points P3, P4 ..... P12.
10. Draw a smooth curve passing through all the points P, P1, P2, P3, P4 ..... Q and
the curve obtained is the epicycloidal curve. To draw tangent and normal
11. Mark the point A on the curve.
12. Keeping A as centre, and radius as 15 mm, draw an arc to cut the ‘locus are
centres arc’ at D.
13. Join D with O. This line cut the PQ at B.
14. Join AB. This AB is the normal. Draw a line perpendicular to AB passing
through A. This line xy is the tangent.
Example - 5
Construct the path traced out by a point on a circular disc of radius
30mm rolls in a circular path of radius 100 mm inside it. Also draw
normal and tangent for the curve at any point on it.
Solution
r = rolling circle = 15 mm.
R = Base circle (larger circle) = 50 mm
= r/R x 360 = 15/50 x 360 = 108º
1. Draw, a sector OPQ with subtended angle = 108º.
2. Mark C on the OP such that CP = r = 15 mm.
3. Keeping C as centre, CP as radius (15 mm) draw a circle (rolling circle).
4. Divide the rolling circle in to 12 equal parts and mark 1, 2, 3 ..... 12 in the
clockwise direction on the rolling circle as shown in fig.
5. Divide the section OPQ in to 12 equal sectors and mark 1 ,2 ,3 ..... 12 in the
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clockwise direction
6. Keeping ‘O’ as centre, draw concentric arcs through 1, 2, 3 .....12.
7. Also, keeping O as centre, draw concentric (OC = R - r = 35 mm radius) arc
passing through point ‘C’. This arc is called ‘locus of centres arc’.
8. The radial lines O1 , O2 ..... O12 cut the ‘locus of centres arc at cl, c2,....cl2
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9. With c1 on centre, radius = 15 mm, draw an arc to cut the passing through 1
and get the point Pl
2.8 Engineering Graphics
10. Similarly with c2 as centre, and same radius (15 mm), draw an arc to cut the
arc passing through 2 and get P2.
Normal
Base circle I
5
I
6 I
4
I 7 B I
I 8
3 9
I
I
2 10
I
R30 I
11
I
2 11
3 D
12 P P1 c6 I
c4 c5 c7 P12 12 Tangent
P2 c3 c8 P11
c9 P10
Ra
P3 c2 4 c10
di
11 c1 c11 P9
us
P4 y
C P5 c12
CP
5 P6 P8
P7
10 x 0
=5
eR
6
A
ircl
C 9 C
se
f Ba
8 7 so
diu
Ra
O
Fig. 2.5
11. Similar way, locate points P3 ..... Pl2.
12. Join all the points by smooth curve and get Hypocycloid.
To draw Tangent and Normal
1. Mark a point A on the curve.
2. With A on centre, radius 15 mm, draw arc cutting the locus of centers arc at D.
3. Join OD and produce OD to cut PQ at B. Join AB The line is the normal.
4. Draw a line perpendicular to AB through A. The line XY is the tangent.
Example - 7
Draw hypocycloid of a circle of 50 mm diameter which rolls inside
another circle of 150 mm diameter for one revolution. Draw tangent and
normal for any point on the curve.
Solution
r = rolling circle = 25 mm.
R = Base circle (larger circle) = 75 mm
= r / R x 360 = 25 / 75 x 360 = 120º
1. Draw, a sector OPQ with subtended angle = 120º.
Special Curves 2.9
2. Mark C on the OP such that CP = r = 25 mm.
3. Keeping C as centre, CP as radius (25 mm) draw a circle (rolling circle).
4. Divide the rolling circle in to 8 equal parts and mark 1, 2, 3 ..... 8 in the clockwise
direction on the rolling circle as shown in fig.
5. Divide the section OPQ in to 8 equal sectors and mark 1 ,2 ,3 ..... 8 in the
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clockwise direction.
Normal
Locus of centres
I
3
I 4 B I
Base circle 5
I
2 I
6
50 I
Tangent
1
3
I
7
2
C3 C4
C5
P1 C2
4 C6 P7 8 P8
I
P2 C1 P3 1 P6
P5 C7
P4
C X Y
5 C8 5
=7
le R
8 circ
ase
6 s of B
A diu
7 Ra
Rolling circle
O
r = 25 mm
Fig. 2.6
6. Keeping ‘O’ as centre, draw concentric arcs through 1, 2, 3......8.
7. Also, keeping O as centre, draw concentric (OC = R - r = 50 mm radius) arc
passing through point ‘C’. This arc is called ‘locus of centres arc’.
8. The radial lines O1 ,O2 ..... O8 cut the ‘locus of centres arc at cl, c2,....c8.
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9. With c1 on centre, radius = 25 mm, draw an arc to cut the passing through 1
and get the point Pl.
10. Similarly with c2 as centre, and same radius (25 mm), draw an arc to cut the
arc passing through 2 and get P2.
11. Similar way, locate points P3 ..... P8.
12. Join all the points by smooth curve and get Hypocycloid.
To draw Tangent and Normal
1. Mark a point A on the curve.
2. With A on centre, radius 25 mm, draw arc cutting the ‘locus of centers
arc at D.
2.10 Engineering Graphics
3. Join OD and produce OD to cut PQ at B. Join AB The line is the normal.
4. Draw a line perpendicular to AB through A. The line XY is the tangent.
Exercises
Cycloids
1. A circle of 40mm diameter rolls on a straight line without slipping. In the initial
position the diameter PQ of the circle is parallel to the line on which it rolls. Draw
the locus of the points P and Q for one complete revolution of the circle.
2. A circle of 40mm rolls on outside of another circle of 100mm diameter and
completes one revolution. Draw to full size the locus of a point on the
circumference of the rolling circle and name the curve.
Epicycloid
3. Draw an epicycloids with the radius of the generating/ rolling circle and radius
of the directing circle equal to 40mm and 140mm respectively. Draw normal
and tangent to the curve at any point on the epicycloids curve.
4. A circle of diameter 50 mm rolls on the outside of another circle of diameter
180mm without slipping. Draw the path traced by a point on the smaller circle.
Hypocycloid
5. Draw a hypocycloid. The diameter of the rolling circle is 36mm and the diameter of
the base circle is 108mm. Draw a tangent and normal at any point on the curve
6. A circle of diameter 50mm rolls along the inside of another circle of diameter
200mm without slipping. Draw the path traced by a point on the smaller circle
Short Answers
1. How will you define cycloid?
A cycloid is the curve generated by the motion of a point on the circumference
of a circle rolled in a plane along a straight line.
2. Applications of cycloid?
Cycloid curves are used in the design of gear tooth profiles design of conveyor
for mould boxes in foundry shops.
3. Define epicycloids and its use.
Epicycloids are a curve generated when the generating point on the
circumference rolls along the convex side (outer side) of another circle.
4. Define hypocycloid and its uses.
1. Hypocycloid is a curve generated when the generating point on the
circumference of the circle rolls along the concave side of a larger circle
(directing circle).
2. It is used in the design of profiles of gear tooth system and also in the
design of flat disk cam profile for cutting meal tools.
